Recently been in touch with my conveyancing lawyer in Berkshire who conducted the legals 18 months ago requesting a conveyancing estimate based on the same type of house move (a leasehold property and a freehold premises) of similar values with a loan from Barnsley Building Society. It looks as though am now being quoted twice the amount. Am I right to be tempted to shop around for an alternative firm of conveyancing solicitor?

The estimate does seem a tad on the high side. If you shop around you may be able to reduce the fees marginally by say £125. On the other hand, assuming were pleased with the service the firm offered you maycome to rue opting for an an untested conveyancer. Don't forget to enquire the conveyancer can act for Barnsley Building Society. Do utilise our search tool to locate a Berkshire conveyancing firm on the Barnsley Building Society conveyancing panel, which can often include conveyancing solicitors in Berkshire.

We note that you have a post code search directory identifying solicitors on the Nottingham conveyancing panel. Do companies pay you a referral fee if I instruct them for our conveyancing in Berkshire?

We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the Nottingham conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint for your conveyancing in Berkshire.

We are planning to purchase with Melton Mowbray Building Society. I went into a couple of local solicitors but am unable to find a Berkshire conveyancing firm on the Melton Mowbray Building Society panel. Could you help?

Please do make the most of the search tool on this web page. Please choose the mortgage company and type Berkshire or your preferred area and you will discover numerous conveyancers offices in Berkshire or by proximity to you.

I have been told that property searches are a common cause of obstruction in Berkshire conveyancing transactions. Is there any truth in this?

The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) has noted the determinations of research by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not feature within the common causes of hindrances in the conveyancing process. Searches are unlikely to feature in any holding up conveyancing in Berkshire.

I am employed by a reputable estate agency in Berkshire where we have experienced a few flat sales derailed due to leases having less than 80 years remaining. I have been given inconsistent advice from local Berkshire conveyancing firms. Could you confirm whether the vendor of a flat can commence the lease extension formalities for the buyer?

As long as the seller has owned the lease for at least 2 years it is possible, to serve a Section 42 notice to start the lease extension process and assign the benefit of the notice to the purchaser. This means that the proposed purchaser can avoid having to wait 2 years for a lease extension. Both sets of lawyers will agree to form of assignment. The assignment needs to be completed before, or simultaneously with completion of the sale.

Alternatively, it may be possible to extend the lease informally by agreement with the landlord either before or after the sale. If you are informally negotiating there are no rules and so you cannot insist on the landlord agreeing to grant an extension or transferring the benefit of an agreement to the purchaser.

I invested in buying a studio flat in Berkshire, conveyancing having been completed in 2008. Can you let me have an estimate of the premium that my landlord can legally expect in return for granting a renewal of my lease? Equivalent properties in Berkshire with a long lease are worth £265,000. The ground rent is £50 yearly. The lease ceases on 21st October 2101

With just 76 years left to run the likely cost is going to be between £8,600 and £9,800 plus costs.

The figure above a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we are not able to supply the actual costs without more comprehensive investigations. You should not use this information in tribunal or court proceedings. There may be other issues that need to be considered and you obviously should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you move forward based on this information before seeking the advice of a professional.